The zecOO electric bike made a splash online when it officially went on sale earlier this year, though it’s been known by people all around the world as the Akira bike for a few years now.
It’s still a little pricey at 8.88 million yen (roughly US$73,600), so we doubt any of our staff will be cruising around town on this bad boy until we’ve filled up a few more piggy banks, but fortunately the electric vehicle was on display at the Tokyo Motor Show and our very own Mr. Sato was able to check it out in person.
Take a look at his photos below and find out what clever new addition the bike is now sporting!
The zecOO featured at Tokyo Motor Show this year is pictured above, in all its black-and-gold glory! It looks more like something out of Tron than Akira with this particular paint job, but either way, the bike positively oozes “futuristic” out of every surface! The fact that it runs on electricity, which means full torque basically instantly, is just a nice side benefit. But aside from a color-scheme at home in a Batman film, what else is new about the bike?
We’ll give you a hint: It has something to with a company called TS Tech.
Admittedly, that’s a pretty horrible hint unless you know that TS Tech specializes in making seats. At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the company was showing off prototypes meant for the self-driving cars of our (hopefully) near future. Apparently the experimental seats read people’s brainwaves and change colors, in addition to making other adjustments, based on the driver and passenger’s relationship.
Of course, the zecOO doesn’t look like it’s designed for passengers, so what is TS Tech offering? Take a look the two photos below…
▼ Notice that the seat-back on the right of the image is lowered here…
▼ …and raised here!
As you can imagine, as the bike speeds up, the rider tends to move backwards in the seat, often at an uncomfortable angle. As the bike gets faster, the seat back actually rises, helping keeping the rider in place. It’s an unusual design but seems perfect for a bike that looks as if it were yanked out of Akira.
Mr. Sato is clearly in love with this bike, but there’s only one problem for our handsome writer: he still doesn’t have a license! Though we’re not sure he has the savings for it yet either…
▼ Here’s a video of Mr. Sato astride the real Akira bike!
Check out of the rest of Mr. Sato’s photo below!
All images © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Join us in congratulating Kaneda from Akira for his milestone on 17 March, 2018!
Giant pilotable robot appears at Japan Mobility Show, stirs our mecha-loving souls【Pics, vids】
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says